Joseph Azcona was a Newark police officer who was fatally shot while out on an illegal firearms investigation, find out more about him and his tragic death below
According to reports, the 14-year-old suspect fired at Azcona before he could even exit his patrol car.
Who is Detective Joseph Azcona as Newark police department officer is shot dead by 14 year old boy, bio, age, family and parents
Early this morning, I am sad to report we lost Detective Joseph Azcona of the Newark Police Department — who passed away in the hospital after being shot in his vehicle on Friday night.
The FBI sends our deepest condolences to Detective Azcona’s family, friends, and colleagues —… pic.twitter.com/Ub3vzZa2ca
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) March 8, 2025
Rest in peace Detective Joseph Azcona of the Newark Police Department, New Jersey, who was shot & killed on 3/7/25 while responding to a man with a gun call.
At 6:37 p.m. Detective Azcona and another officer arrived at the intersection of Carteret Street and Broadway to… pic.twitter.com/TIoPKlCANL
— Angel L Maysonet (@bigricanman) March 8, 2025
Azcona’s tragic death has since sparked all kinds of discussions on youth violence and law enforcement safety.
Joseph Azcona shot dead
A tragic incident took place on Friday. March 7, 2025, when a 14-year-old boy fatally shot Newark officer Joseph Azcona. The incident took place during an illegal firearms investigation in North Ward near Broadway and Carteret Street, Newark, New Jersey, around 6:30 PM. According to reports, the suspect shot Azcona 29 times with his automatic gun before he could get out of his patrol car.
The teenager was also injured in the altercation, and officials took him to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Notably, the teenager also injured another officer before authorities arrested him. Authorities have since charged him with murder and illegal weapons possession. The suspect whose identity hasn’t been revealed also shot and injured a second officer who received treatment at University Hospital. Police have reportedly recovered one gun from the incident site and took five individuals into custody for questioning.
Joseph Azcona bio
Joseph Azcona was a police officer with the Newark Police Department who recently passed away during an illegal firearms investigation. He served as a police officer for the last five years, working in the intelligence unit. According to colleagues, he dedicated his career to keeping the community safe. Following his death, the Newark police department posthumously promoted Azcona to the rank of detective for his service and sacrifice.
Detective Joseph Azcona, 26, was killed in a barrage of 29 bullets fired by the teen with an automatic weapon in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Besides the charged 14-year-old, four other individuals were taken into custody and questioned in relation to the incident and the alleged teen gunman was with a large group that was gathered near a McDonald’s and a White Castle in the north section of Newark, on Friday, when the barrage of bullets rang out, just after 6:30 p.m.
The NYPD mourns the death of @NewarkNJPolice Detective Joseph Azcona. He was murdered last night while investigating reports of illegal firearms. He served his community for five years, and leaves behind his parents and five siblings. #FidelisAdMortem pic.twitter.com/5hD2i3VIUg
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) March 8, 2025
Family
Joseph Azcona leaves behind his father, his mother, and his five brothers. He shared a close bond with them, and they were all present by his side as he passed away at University Hospital at 2:34 AM.
He was the youngest son of Martha Vegas.
Official Statements
Following the incident, Newark Public Safety Director Emmanuel Miranda emphasized the sudden and tragic nature of Joseph Azcona’s death. He stated how:
He didn’t even get a chance to step out of the vehicle before he was struck.”
Meanwhile, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens II praised Joseph Azcona and his colleagues as “heroes” who risk their lives daily:
The thing to remember, primarily, is the officers involved are heroes, everyday heroes that work the streets of the city of Newark and cities and municipalities like it throughout this county, state, and within this nation. So they continue to be individuals worthy of being in our prayers, and we have to support them to the extent that we can.”